Ho! Ho! Ho! The 6th Annual Holiday Contest Is Here!!!

The Contest: Write a children’s holiday story (children here defined as approximately age 12 and under) using the basic format/concept of The Twelve Days Of Christmas! Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 300 words (I know! So much freedom after the Halloweensie Contest 🙂 ) (It can be as short as you like (the judges will be grateful 🙂 , you are welcome and encouraged to write shorter, but no more than 300! Title not included in word count.) The field is wide open! Have fun! The more creative the better! No illustration notes please. (And yes, if you feel compelled to submit more than one entry you may, just remember you’re competing against yourself!)

Post: Your entry should be posted on your blog between right now this very second and Monday December 12 at 11:59 PM EST, and your post-specific link should be added to the link list below. We’re trying a new system for this contest – the one I use for Perfect Picture Book Friday – fingers crossed it works better than the other one for everyone! This post and the list will remain up through Thursday December 15 for your reading pleasure (no WYRI or PPBF.) If you don’t have a blog but would like to enter, please copy and paste your entry into the comments on my December 8th post. (If anyone has trouble commenting, which unfortunately happens, please email me and I’ll post your entry for you! But please don’t send attachments! Just copy and paste your story into the email.) Also, please only post your entry once – either in the comment section of my blog or on the link list.

The Judging: My lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 10-12 finalists (depending on the number of entries) which will be posted here on Friday December 16 (or, if we’re desperate for a little extra time, Saturday December 17) for you to vote on for a winner. The vote will be closed on Monday December 19 at 5 PM EST and the winners will be announced on Tuesday December 20. Whoever gets the most votes will be first and so on down to tenth place. Judging criteria will be kid appeal/kid-friendliness, creativity, quality of story, quality of writing, and originality. If we can post the finalists sooner and move everything up a bit we will, but with 300 word entries it takes longer…

– a pack of Susanna Leonard Hill’s amazing What’s The Story Cards (scroll about 1/2 way down the page… (2 available)

I can’t thank these authors and other industry professionals enough for their incredible generosity! Please visit their sites, buy and recommend their books and services to your writer friends and/or friends with kids, write them nice reviews on Amazon, GoodReads etc if you’ve read and liked their books, and show your appreciation to them in any way you can!

Now.

The time has come for my sample. And I think I can say unequivocally that this is the worst sample I have ever written 🙂 Are you ready? You’re going to have to grit your teeth to get through this one 🙂 But that should be very comforting to all of you because you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that ANYthing you wrote is better than this! 🙂

Noel’s 12 Days Of Christmas (209 words)

On the First Day of Christmas Noel sighed miserably
Alone by her little fir tree.
“It’s not Christmas without company.”

But the mice in the walls overheard…And they made sure to pass on the word…

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas the door chimed merrily.
Noel answered curiously.
And what in the world should she see?
But…
Twelve moose a-munching
Eleven bears a-lunching
Ten reindeer shedding
Nine otters sledding
Eight foxes yapping
Seven possums napping
Six cats with kittens

Five singing wolves

Four flying squirrels
Three loud crows
Two playful mice
And they said, “We will be company!”
So Noel let them in joyfully.

But before long these hairy, loud guests
Made the house a bewildering mess!
And Noel’s thoughts turned back longingly
To the quiet and peace by her tree!

Four flying squirrels
Three loud crows
Two playful mice
Headed off to another party.

On the Twelfth Night of Christmas Noel sighed happily
Alone by her little fir tree…
With one kitten for sweet company.

So now! Is everyone filled with confidence about their entries? I certainly hope so after that display! Never let it be said that I’m not willing to make a fool of myself for you guys 🙂 It just proves how much I love you 🙂

I can’t wait to read all of your (much better!) stories! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still nearly 5 days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet and want to join the fun. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. If you just want to enjoy reading, that’s great too! We need all the readers we can get, so feel free to spread the word to parents and teachers! And what better way to entertain yourself and your kids while waiting for the holiday goodies to bake? Or get someone to read aloud while everyone else wraps presents 🙂

Remember to put your post-specific link (not your general blog link or people will find the wrong page if you post again before the contest is over) in the list below! OR copy and paste your entry into the comment section if you don’t have a blog! (I am truly hoping this form and spread sheet will work, but I made them without help at midnight and it’s entirely possible I screwed up! If that is the case, I will get help to fix them ASAP!!! I experimented with mine and it worked so…fingers crossed! Please allow several minutes for the list to update and refresh your browser before panicking and thinking your entry didn’t load!)

Rejoice! and let the festivities begin!!! 🙂

And don’t miss the additional 41 fabulous entries in the comment section below!
(Scroll through comments to view)

Aw! Such a sweet story, Mariah! Poignant too, because it’s so sad and true – people are so prejudiced against pitbulls and so many of them are just the loveliest dogs! I’m glad Otto found a good home in time for Christmas! Thanks for a lovely entry that encourages readers to think. Happy Holidays!

What a beautiful and festive Christmasy scene you’ve portrayed for us, Marie! I can see it perfectly and it puts me in the mood for Christmas celebration! Thanks for a lovely entry, and Happy Holidays!

Oooo! I think I am able to post a reply with out a wordpress page of my own! I have facebook:) Thanks so much for all the feedback and good spirits!
And thank you Susanna for responding for me:) Sorry about the goof up.

Twelve Crows at Christmas (269 words) by Jennifer Rugge
Once long ago in a small village was a lone pine tree that stood at the end of the road. It glistened and twinkled as it swayed in the breezes. The villagers loved how it glowed at Christmas from the snowflakes that clung to its branches. “How beautiful and how grand!” they admired.
It grew taller and longer, huge and wide. The trunk bent and twisted this way and that wandering up into the clouds. As years passed, the pine tree stopped dancing in the wind. It did not sway gracefully and glisten from its weight. Instead it creaked. Brown needles rained down on the village. Soon the greatness of the tree went unnoticed and forgotten by the villagers.
Until one day there appeared twelve crows at Christmas a-gathering and a-cawing.
The First Crow went a-leaping, placing a sprig of mistletoe in the pine tree.
The second Crow a-following, laid two blue eggs on a nest upon a bough.
The third Crow hung three bags of icicles a-twinkling.
The fourth Crow arranged four locks of holly a-glistening.
The fifth Crow jingled five silver bells.
The sixth Crow whirled six snow-crows a-dancing.
The seventh Crow blew seven snowflakes a-falling.
The eighth Crow tossed eight snowballs a-flying.
The ninth Crow dropped nine stars a-shining
The tenth Crow finished ten more winter caps for a-wearing
The eleventh Crow gave out strings for a-tying
And twelve Crows tied their beaks for a-humming…
“Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches…”
While a-circling the mistletoe in a pine tree.
The villagers noticed and joined a-singing together.
Have A Merry Crow Christmas!

What an engaging and beautifully written entry with the feel of a folk tale, Jennifer! I love the original set-up – how lovely the tree, and how appreciated – and then how it became just part of the background, unrecognized, until the crows brought it back to life. Very spirit-of-Christmas! Thanks for a very original story, and Happy Holidays!

Thank you so much for your comments Susanna. I enjoy the fun writing prompts and how different all the stories are here. Lots of fun creativity going on! Thank you for providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere for emerging writers. Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Love this, Jen! What a great story! Character, story arc, lovely message… and humor! A very original take on the 12 Days format. Nicely done!!! Thanks for a great entry, and Happy Holidays! (“Looking at you Static Electricity Day” made me laugh out loud 🙂 )

Wow – I’m literally glowing right now thinking that I made YOU laugh out loud! That is the highest praise I could get! Thank you so much for your lovely comments and I’m tickled to death that you enjoyed it 🙂

Love this, Robyn! Instead of star-crossed lovers you have a temperature-crossed friendship! Very original! You made me feel so sad for Raindrop, trying so hard to be a good friend! I’m glad she and Snowflake found a way to work it out in the end 🙂 And some great language – I loved when Raindrop opened her heart – PLOP PLOP PLOP! and when loneliness drained her – good word usage! Thanks for a lovely entry, and Happy Holidays!

Robyn, If my comment totally confused you, it was for a different story – I don’t know how I did that. BUT your story is adorable! I love a good friendship story, and this is a good one. Happy holidays.

On the day after Christmas, Marek left the small shack he shared with his mother, holding tightly to a treasure his father had carved before he died. He joined a line of people waiting to enter the palace courtyard, each hoping his gift would please the princess enough to invite the giver and his family to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas in the palace.
“A partridge? A pear tree?” scoffed Princess Celina. “I have no use of these. Next!”
“Two turtledoves? Three French hens? Four calling birds? This is a palace, not an aviary.” Princess Celina dismissed the three men.
The jeweler offered the princess five gold rings. Princess Celina waved him away. “I have much finer things.”
The next man in line shooed in six geese.
“More birds?” Princess Celina said with a sigh.
“But any one of these could be the goose who lays the golden eggs,” the man told her.
“Or not,” she replied. “Next!”
Princess Celina yawned through seven mechanical swans swimming in a circle, and eight maids milking eight cows. Nine ladies danced in the courtyard. Ten Lords leapt. Eleven pipers played, and twelve drummers marched. Nothing captured Princess Celina’s attention.
“Is that all there is?” Princess Celina demanded. “Is no one worthy of celebrating the twelve days of Christmas here at the palace?”
Marek stepped forward. “I bring you an angel, carved by my father for the top of a Christmas tree. My mother and I are too poor to have a tree, but the angel deserves to be seen. Perhaps she may have a home here.”
Princess Celina looked at the angel, and into Marek’s hopeful eyes.
“Yes,” she agreed. “She may have a home here. Bring your mother to the palace and we will celebrate the twelve days of Christmas together.”

Wonderful story, Monica! Such a fairy tale feel and so nicely written. But also with humor 🙂 I love “this is a palace, not an aviary” and later, “more birds?”! 🙂 Thanks for a great entry, and Happy Holidays!

On the first day of winter the critters did agree,
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the second day of winter the critters did agree,
Fox found the perfect pine
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the third day of winter the critters did agree,
Beaver cut it down, after Fox found the perfect pine
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the fourth day of winter the critters did agree,
Bear brought it home, once Beaver cut it down, after Fox found the perfect pine
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the fifth day of winter the critters did agree,
Gopher dug a hole, where Bear brought it home, once Beaver cut it down,
after Fox found the perfect pine to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the sixth day of winter the critters did agree,
Deer made a clearing, since Gopher dug a hole, where Bear carried it home,
once Beaver cut it down, after Fox found the perfect pine
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the seventh day of winter the critters did agree,
Raccoon strung the garland, after Deer made a clearing, since Gopher dug a hole,
where Bear carried it home, once Beaver cut it down, after Fox found the perfect pine
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

On the eighth day of winter the critters did agree,
Crow placed the topper, once Raccoon strung the garland, after Deer made a clearing,
since Gopher dug a hole, where Bear carried it home,
once Beaver cut it down, after Fox found the perfect pine
to make a special woodland Christmas tree.

By working in unity the critters did agree,
they were a model of efficiency!
(—four whole days ahead of schedule!)

What a model of teamwork, Lucretia, and a perfect critter for every job! It’s like a combination of the 12 Days and The House That Jack Built – very nicely done – and I love your neat ending that finishes your story perfectly and nicely unpredictably, and simultaneously keeps you within the word count! Thanks for a wonderful entry, and Happy Holidays!

Burrito trotted in from the fields feeling a little tired. He had one bundle
of soft straw on his back. Burrito´s present was ready! He found María
holding el Niño Jesús and José next to her welcoming their visitors. Many had come with gifts for the new baby. Burrito knew he
had to wait his turn.

First, twelve shepherds laid twelve lambs before Jesús.
Next eleven camel keepers walked in with eleven camels for the baby.
Behind them were ten potters.
They laid their ten clay bowls next to Jesús.
Nine farmers followed the potters.
They placed their nine bags of wheat near the baby.
In came eight stable boys.
They had eight saddles for Jesús.
Seven weavers entered the barn.
They dropped their seven woven blankets next to the baby.
Six beekeepers followed.
Their six jars of honey went in front of Jesús.
In came five carpenters.
They placed their five carved toys before the baby.
Four fishermen arrived.
In their hands they carried four fishing nets.
These they placed near Jesús.
The fishermen were followed by three wise men.
Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior, the Three Kings laid down their three boxes of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In tiptoed two small children.
In their hands they held two pairs of little leather sandals.
They laid these in front of Jesús.
Burrito came last. He had waited patiently for his turn. He now
brayed happily. Bowing his head shyly he set his bundle of soft straw into the manger. María placed el Niño Jesús onto the straw. Burrito stood proudly by the Holy Familia.

Oh my goodness, Carmen…I am so thrilled you joined in…I love your story! You did a wonderful job of weaving in appropriate gifts for the Baby Jesus…you even got in the three wise men with their names…this story would find a home in both the Christian and the mainstream market. I think you should work on this one…it would make a beautiful picture book. 😉

What a lovely story, Carmen! I love how you worked the true Christmas story into the 12 Days format, and made Burrito an endearing character who, though last, brought the gift that mattered most at the moment – a soft bed for the baby. You set a beautiful scene and mood, just right for this time of year 🙂 Thanks so much for a wonderful entry, and Happy Holidays/Feliz Navidad!

THE PARTRIDGE IN-A-PEAR-TREE! (300 words)
By Elizabeth Steffenson
In a beautiful land, lived a PARTRIDGE IN-A-PEAR-TREE.
One day, his Father said, “Son, a poor village has had misfortune. I must send you to help.” He gave his son a large sack for the journey.
Along the way he met:
TWO TURTLEDOVES,
THREE FRENCH-HENS, and
FOUR CALLING BIRDS.
He invited them for lunch. As he dug through his sack, he pulled out FIVE GOLDEN RINGS. “A fortune!” they all exclaimed. “Priceless,” said the partridge. “They are my Father’s Wisdom.”
As they ate, the partridge told them about his mission. “You all could bring a sign of peace, dignity, and song to the villagers. Can you help?” They vowed to follow him anywhere.
They soon encountered SIX GEESE-A-LAYING and SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING. “Geese, you give new life. Swans, you bring beauty. Will join us in helping a distraught village?” They proudly accepted.
As they journeyed, they discovered a farmyard with EIGHT MAIDS-A-MILKING. The partridge was impressed with their hard work. “Will you join us on our mission?
“Of course,” they replied.
Next, they passed a festival with NINE LADIES DANCING, TEN LORDS-A-LEAPING, ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING, and TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING! “What joy you could bring the villagers. Join us?”
“Delighted!” they replied.
As they neared the village, the sky grew dim. The crew sensed the villagers’ desperation. “Please stay here while I fly ahead,” said the partridge. “Then wake them with morning music!”
The partridge flew over the village, collecting the burdens of the people in his sack. Snowflakes fell, covering the broken village with a crystal white blanket. Exhausted, the partridge rested in a tree, where he placed the FIVE GOLDEN RINGS.
The villagers awoke to music, dancing, beautiful birds, and fresh milk. “A miracle!”
The villagers celebrate each year to remember how the partridge saved them. They call it ‘Christmas.’

Oh my goodness, Mona! Thank heaven for Sunny Bun! He saved Christmas! Your entry is surely a celebration of hard work and determination and never giving up! I hope Sunny woke up enough to enjoy his special flight and didn’t sleep through the whole thing! 🙂 Thanks for a fun entry, and Happy Holidays!

Thanks Gabi! Sorry for the late response to your thoughtful comment, but i just found out that all the notifications about comments on this site went straight to my junk mail. Oh, well! Good thing I checked. Have a joyful holiday season!

Such a creative take on the original 12 Days, Liza! I love that all the things your MC gets are things that really matter – curiosity, creativity, perseverance, hope and gratitude, etc. Lovely job! Thanks so much for this heart-warming entry, and Happy Holidays!

Thank you Susanna, and many thanks for hosting this wonderful contest. I guess being a psychologist I couldn’t help myself but write about all that I teach and preach to kids and adults alike! Many wishes for a joyful holiday season, with many gifts of the heart and spirit!

Wow, Shelley! What a wild Christmas! First the main elves getting sick, then the back-up elves arriving in such a way as to get cold and wet and end up sick too! Yikes! Thank goodness someone ended up well enough for Christmas to go off as planned and be the best Christmas ever! (And I laughed when the reindeer got a TV 🙂 ) Thanks for a fun entry, and Happy Holidays!

Thanks, Susanna 🙂 Your contests always bring out my crazy side…LOL. I wrote “and the reindeer got a TV”…then realized a minute later that it followed the song pattern…”and a partridge in a pear tree.” I don’t know if anyone else even caught that, but I thought it was funny. I hope you are not too worn out from the judging process. Looking forward to the results! Thank you again for these contests. I know you work hard to bring them to us 🙂

Thanks Vivian, David, and Melissa 🙂 I wasn’t sure if I had time to enter this year, but I managed to finish it late last night with 5 minutes to spare…LOL. It’s hard to let one of Susanna’s fun contests slip by…so addictive!

Hi Cathey. I doubt your comment is for me, but if so, thanks! Your comment showed up at the very end of all comments, not immediately after my story, so I wasn’t sure. Regardless, I liked YOUR story! I STILL love your Valentine’s one from last year! I hope all is going well with your art car PB, and I saw on your site you have another book that looks super interestingl! Happy holidays!